Linda C’s Comments (group member since Aug 05, 2020)

Linda C’s comments from the Challenge Corner group.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
BR: N/A
Pages: 304 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Cookie Crawl: Features baking
How it Fits: MC is baker of cakes

On our team SS Members sheet I am listed as having read 3 books in Round I when I read 4, not sure why. Also all our new players don't seem to be counting and Celia is not either. Could this all be checked? Not sure if this is important to our final totals but just thought I'd bring it up. Round 1 had 20 tasks completed but only 15 books read per the member sheet.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
BR: N/A
Pages: 243 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...
Holiday Karaoke!: Musical instrument on the cover
How it Fits: drums on cover

I can read a book with an instrument on the cover today. I'll take it from Celia

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
BR: N/A
Pages: 224 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Racing Time!: Author's initials in RACE
How it Fits: Author initials AC in RACE

I just took the last open slot in Round 1. Hope to finish it tomorrow

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
BR: N/A
Pages: 377 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Ice Sculpting!: MC's first/last name starts with I
How it Fits: MC first name Irene

Can I please change my Secret Sisters entry from
Ice Sculpting!: Letters I,C,E in title (in any order)
How it Fits: I in Sisters, C & E in Secret
to
Ice Sculpting!: 'Ice' in text (pg/% & quote)
How it Fits: p.338 "Two bottles of white wine on ice sat on a nearby table"

Cynthia will be replacing my spot with something that doesn't work for anywhere else.
thank you
Linda C

⚚♆ Cynthia ♆⚚ wrote: "Linda C, do you mind to take task Ice' in text (pg/% & quote) for round 2 for Secret Sisters? I just finished reading a book that has letters ICE in title and it doesn't fit any of ..."

All right I'll move it right now, so you can enter yours. I'll note it in the reviews as well

Review; https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
BR: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Pages: 336 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Ice Sculpting!: Letters I,C,E in title (in any order)
How it Fits: I in Sisters, C & E in Secret

Finished Chapters 50 - 62 (view spoiler)[Those Websters sure spread the crimes around, everyone got a piece of the action!
I've read just about everything Krentz has written and always enjoyed her style. This is another of her solid pleasers.
Sorry you didn't care for the restricted storyline or character development. For me it was a solid 4 (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 29 - 49 (view spoiler)[ Definitely a fast paced suspense story. I like the fact that we learn things along with the MCs and get side conversations that hint at possible villains.Xavier was definitely a part of the villainy but not the ultimate. We are probably going to find out that there are several people involved. Off to finish! (hide spoiler)]

Loving the connection between Abe and Daphne.

Chapters 15-28 (view spoiler)[ Nothing subtle about the Websters. All of them acting suspicious and threatening toward the MCs. Also very arrogant thinking they control the island. Hard to believe there are people that get away with this in real life and this is not just a plot device. Maybe I'm just not in any area where this happens or I'm oblivious. But makes for a good story. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 1-14 (view spoiler)[ The first chapter sets the stage for the incident 18 years earlier that is the basis for current events. Then we are introduced to the MCs and the connection is made to the past. Looks to be 2 sets of couples. And a major influential family on the island is introduced. 5 potential suspects with one particularly scary member, who is too obvious for the ultimate villain, although he will be an early bad guy. Good set up. (hide spoiler)]

Agree with you about Xavier.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
BR: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Pages: 446 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Gingerbread Contest!: Read a book with a Brown Cover (75%)
How it Fits: 83% brown per TinEye

Finished (view spoiler)[ Well, it wasn't until the last 3 chapters that much happened. I am not fond of cliff-hangers and this one had no resolution for any of the characters, except, I guess, if you consider all 4 are still alive.
One "good" thing is now Daniel will not likely be privileged and will finally have to think for himself and learn how the other half lives.
Not sure if I really care enough about these people to read any more volumes especially since I'm sure we will have another cliff-hanger before getting resolution in volume 3. (hide spoiler)]

74% Chapter 23 (view spoiler)[ As is always the case rulers want power and use the minions to fight their battles. In this story it is even more evident because the gods are bickering and the humans are those with no voice.
I am still ambivalent about this series. I want to know what is going to happen to the main characters but I really don't feel the pull of the drama. I feel slightly removed as an observer rather than drawn in. Off to finish (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16 (view spoiler)[ Each of the MCs are at a point where they have to watch their step in this politically charged situation. I am sure Marcus is going to want to use Corthie in a Blade attack. At some point the dragons are going to be involved in something. But I'm not sure how Daniel is going to be involved.

I think that future books are going to somehow deal with the fact that there are other worlds, where the dragons live and where Corthie is from. Back to the story! (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 16: [spoilers removed]"

Well, there is still little connection between the 4 MCs, so we have not reached any climax yet.

Chapter 1-7 (25%) (view spoiler)[ This was a slow world building as each of the first 4 chapters featured a different MC giving us a different look at the world. Aila, a demigod, former traitor, pardoned and now Adjutant in one of the towns, secretly continuing her rebellion. Corthi, brought from outside to battle the invading horde, with an almost godlike skill. Maddie, a reject from every branch of service in the Blades where the defense of the City is everyone's life and there is no escape, who ends up in a life or death job. And lastly Daniel, son of a noble family just graduated from officer training, and engaged to marry into another noble family who does not want to be in the military or responsible for saving the family name.

The next 3 chapters start to show us more about the underlying motivations of the characters. I like the writing style and the world building. Unfortunately a very useful map and guide to characters at the beginning are more awkward to access in my kindle than easily flipping pages if it were a print book. (hide spoiler)]